Flickering Light (Return To Avalore Book 0) (3 page)

Her heart fluttered and her palms dampened. “What is it you need from me?”

“It’s not what we need, Miss Morgan, it is what Avalore needs, what our people need.” She waited so long before continuing, Barbara wanted to scream. “We wish for you to request our aid in finding your predestined mate. We’d have you joined with him, and soon.”

“I’m sorry. What do you mean? How will this help our people or bring our queen back?”

Clayton stiffened beside her, but he didn’t utter a word.

“Your fate is your own and will be revealed to you in due course, but know, your role is great. Our people need hope. You can provide it until she is returned to us, until her light shines and brightens the darkness overshadowing all of Avalore.”

What did one say to such a thing? Just the thought of the Queen of Avalore’s return brought a flutter to her stomach and a small burgeoning hope in her soul. “Might I have a moment to think?”

“Of course, child, but don’t delay. So much is at stake.” The woman stepped back, turning to the others to confer in whispered tones.

“I don’t know what to think.” She blinked up at Clay who stood with his jaw clenched.

“Is there any choice? If there’s a chance, any chance at all to keep our people safe until she comes…” He cast his gaze down. “I think you should do it.” The warmth he had surrounded her with moments before froze.

“I don’t know if I can.” She blinked back her tears. She had considered many things, including ending her own existence, but never, not once had she considered having to go on without him.

“Barbara, I know it will be difficult, but you must do this.” He came before her and took her hands in his. “You must. Don’t worry for me. As long as you are well, I shall be fine.”

She swallowed hard. “I must.” Even to her own ears, she was less than convincing.

He closed his eyes and leaned his forehead against hers. “Yes.” His voice, nothing more than a hoarse whisper pierced her heart.

When she was able to breathe again, she pulled her gaze from him and turned to the Elders once more. “I’ve made my decision. Please arrange for the joining, and call upon me when my presence is required.”

“Very well, child.” The Elders bustled toward the street. “We shall convene at once and notify the palace of the upcoming celebration.”

Clay held her hands until the Elders disappeared from sight.

“I should go. You’ll have preparations to make.”

“Clay, I…” Pain lanced through her as he lowered his head, avoiding her gaze.

When he looked up again, his elongated pupils were cold and distant. The warmth and comfort she’d always found there, gone. “Goodbye, Barbara.”

Her morning had been a mess of friends and neighbors gathering to assist her to get everything ready for the joyous event on such short notice. So why did tears cling to her lashes and her heart want to wither under the vise holding it in its grip?

She couldn’t do it.

What difference did it make if she joined her predestined mate today? Others had done the very same and still had fallen to the darkness. Damn the Elders and all their cryptic messages. What made them think she would be any different?

Barbara’s steps faltered. Her pale periwinkle gown flowed around her legs, allowing the toes of her matching heels to poke out as the fabric swished back. The one thing the mated couples hadn’t been able to do, though many had tried, was to have a child. Was it possible the Elders had seen a new life brought into Avalore after all these years? Her heart raced. She couldn’t have a baby. How could she care for another when simple existence was a chore she no longer wanted to face?

The palace loomed ahead, the dull stone walls a grim reminder of everything lost when Queen Angelique had died. Avalore had suffered such desolation in the aftermath of her death; Barbara feared it would never be the same. She remembered a time when those same walls were bright and colorful. Wildflowers had grown along the stone, in the crevices, a stunning backdrop for their city. Now she couldn’t look at it without a quarter-century’s worth of pain crushing her.

Each step made it more and more difficult to breathe. She hadn’t allowed thoughts of Clay to enter her mind all morning, and with the constant flow of people invading her home, it had been easy to push them back, but now, standing alone on the cobblestones leading to the palace, she couldn’t keep from seeing his eyes again. The raw pain he had tried so hard to hide sliced through her.

Would he be there today? Selfish as it was, she wanted to see him; to have him reassure her all would be well.

She took a deep breath and another step. She hadn’t even realised she’d stopped walking until she’d looked around and found she had yet to get to the corner of her street. Today was supposed to be one of the most amazing days of her life, yet heaviness dragged at her feet. As the last remaining member of the Morgan family, she would be alone up there on the dais. No one would stand with her or hold her hand to keep the trembling at bay.

Holding back a sob, she reached out to the one person who knew how close she was, how difficult each breath had become. “
Clay…
”

Surprised at the roiling energy she encountered, she withdrew from his mind. Perhaps she had reached out to someone else. Even as she thought it, she dismissed the notion. The telepathic link they shared was more than familiar. It was instinctual. There was no way she’d slid into anyone else’s mind.

“Are you alright?”
She reached out again, her heart slamming against her ribs.

“I am. Is there anything you need, Barbara?”
The tightness in his voice belied his words.

“No, not really. I… I’m not certain I can go through with it. With the joining, I mean.”
She rolled her eyes skyward. Like he didn’t know to what she’d be referring.

“Think of our people. Push aside your fear, and do what is right. You know there is no other choice.”
His strength seeped into her along with his words.

“What will I do without you?”
She hadn’t intended to voice that particular fear.

He didn’t respond for so long, she thought he might not.

“Your mate will care for you and ensure your happiness.”

Her heart sank. He didn’t say he would always be there for her. He didn’t promise undying friendship. The tears she’d fought so hard to keep at bay spilled to her cheeks.
“I wish things were different. I’m sorry.”
None of it was her fault, but knowing he was hurting because of her made her want to roar to the heavens until her throat was raw.

“Don’t be. I regret nothing. I will cherish my memories.”
Of course, he would try to comfort her when he himself was in pain.

“So will I.”
She sniffled and dried her cheeks. She was almost at the palace, and she needed to pull herself together.

By the time she reached the joining platform, she’d steeled her heart for what was to come. She didn’t look up to see who her intended was. It didn’t matter. She would do what the people of Avalore needed. The soft murmurs of the growing crowd followed her up the stairs. A warm breeze caressed her skin, and the faint scent of jasmine wafted past. This was it. Today she would take her mate.

Turning toward the center, her brows furrowed. The Elder woman who had spoken to her that very morning approached, worry etched on her face.

“We’ve yet to locate your mate, Miss Morgan, but do not despair, I’m certain he will be found in no time.” The woman ushered her to the center of the platform.

Barbara swallowed hard. “Do you think he…?” She didn’t want to consider it, but in these dark times, so many had fallen.

“No, no, child, do not fret.” The woman held her head high. “He has not left this world.”

Barbara scanned the crowd, foolish as it was, hoping to see Clay. She couldn’t contain the small sob when she spotted him standing near the back.

“You came.”

“I wouldn’t miss it.”
The hoarse rasp of the gryphon slid into her mind.

She had no right to ask. It was cruel to entertain it, but she asked anyway.
“Will you stand with me?”

His head bowed low for a moment before he lifted his gaze back to hers.
“If that’s what you need.”
The strain in his voice made her wish she could take the request back, but he was already making his way to the dais.

“Ah, here he comes now.” The Elder woman’s voice barely registered.

One of the Elder men hurried behind Clay, but she didn’t look past to see who followed. She didn’t care who else approached, all she saw was Clay climbing the stairs to be by her side. Once he was there, they could proceed and she would deal with the joining.

“Come now, child. There’s no time to lose.” The Elder took her hand and guided her back to the center. She hadn’t realised she’d gone to meet Clay partway.

The dark suit he wore fitted him to perfection. He was strong, sure, and steady. All the things she was not. She wanted to run as far and as fast as she could and take him with her. They could live alone somewhere in the forest and build a life for themselves…

“Mr. Matthews, please join us.”

Barbara’s gaze swept to the Elder woman. Did she just…?

Her heart pounded as Clay stepped forward. The Elder man clapped Clay on his back as he brushed past to take his place with the Council. “You’ve given us a merry chase, son.”

His eyes grew wide, and he gasped, before a wide smile split his face, making the corners of his eyes crinkle and her heart do a little flip.

“You?”
She brought her hands up to cover her gaping mouth.

“It seems so.”
He took her hands in his and kissed her cheek.

Before he could pull away again, she flung her arms around him and buried her face in his neck.
“Did you know? All this time?”

“No, I couldn’t bear the thought of going home without you. I didn’t’ go back until it was time to change my clothes before coming here. I’d meant to stay away, but I couldn’t.”
His arms tightened around her and he held her close before pulling away.
“I think they’re waiting for us.”

“Miss Morgan, there will be plenty of time to hold your mate after the ceremony.” The Elder woman tugged her back into place.

The crowd hushed as the woman began to speak.

“Please join hands now.” The Elder stood before them. The filigree of her tunic shone and twinkled in the sunlight as though alive.

“Barbara Morgan, this man has been brought forth as your predestined mate, is it your wish to be joined with him on this day?” The woman turned her glacial gaze to her.

“Yes, I wish to be joined with this man.” She could no longer contain her smile. Deep inside, Barbara’s dragon unfurled its tail and lifted its head. It sent curling warmth and joy through her and around her, reaching for its mate.

“Clayton Matthews, you’ve been brought forth by the Council of Elders as Miss Morgan’s predestined mate. Are you prepared to be joined to this woman?”

Barbara held her breath, hardly resisting the urge to fling herself into his arms again.

A wide smile split Clay’s face as his energy reached for her. Without hesitation, he spoke the official words. “Yes, I’m prepared to be joined to this woman.”

I would say “the end”, but this is only the beginning.

I hope you enjoyed the story.

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More from Avalore

Return to Avalore series in correct reading order:

Flickering Light
(Barbara and Clayton)

Call of the Dragon
(Drake and Rhiannon)

Rise of the Phoenix
(Evan and Brienne)

Once Upon a Fiery Christmas
(Chantelle and Sebastian)

Lost in Magic
(Aiken, Mari, and Rogan)

Or, you can get the first four stories in this series in one convenient, cost-saving boxed set...
Return to Avalore
.

Call of the Dragon

Chapter 1

Memories, dark and excruciating, weighed heavily on Rhia’s soul. Her feet dragged as though wearing boots lined with lead as she plodded her way home. The distance stretched like miles instead of a few short blocks.

Had it only been four years since her mother’s death? Some days the nightmare was so fresh she could still smell the heady scent of her blood, while other days, it was as though she’d been on her own forever. Alone in a world that didn’t understand her. One that rejected things they couldn’t comprehend.